about

"...favela is the term for a slum in Brazil, most often within urban areas. The first favelas appeared in the late 19th century and were built by soldiers who had nowhere to live. Some of the first settlements were called bairros africanos (African neighbourhoods). This was the place where former slaves with no land ownership and no options for work lived. Over the years, many former black slaves moved in."

There is beauty in the dark, in the struggle, in the broken.
A blazing fire, blood brick and cobble stone.
Freedom's song pounds at hearts, sun kissed skin shine truth,
Children fly into salty waters, black hands shape past and present, palm oil, black eyed peas, colorful fabrics of passion and love.
Favela.

credits

released 30 April 2014

Produced, Recorded and Performed by Te'Amir Sweeney
Highland Park Los Angeles 2014